Poll Results Show Public Continues to Support Immigration Law

State Rep. Randy Terrill, a Moore Republican who authored Oklahoma’s new immigration reform law (House Bill 1804), issued the following statement today in response to a new Tulsa World/KOTV poll on the issue.

“It is absolutely phenomenal that immigration is tied with education as the top issue in the minds of Oklahoma voters, especially given all the fear-mongering, trumped-up negative publicity, and over-the-top rhetoric from the pro-illegal-alien lobby and its allies who would very much like to see HB 1804 either weakened or repealed.

“It is even more remarkable that HB 1804 enjoys nearly two-to-one support from those surveyed who said it either will have, or has already had, a ‘very’ or ‘somewhat positive’ impact and also indicate they favor ‘even stronger legislation.’

“This poll makes it clear that the majority of likely Oklahoma voters not only want HB 1804 enforced, but actually want it strengthened.

“Other polling data I have seen shows that when likely Oklahoma voters are asked about the specific provisions of HB 1804 – such as those barring illegal aliens from receiving state driver’s licenses and taxpayer funded health care and welfare benefits –support goes far higher.

“The Tulsa World / KOTV 6 poll's internal numbers also show that concern about illegal immigration and support for HB 1804, as well as the desire to strengthen it, is not a Republican or Democrat issue. It's a bipartisan issue.

“That's because cracking down on illegal immigration is not about left and right. It’s about right and wrong, respect for the rule of law and upholding our state and national sovereignty. It’s also about a group of public officials doing exactly what it is the people elected and expect them to do.

“Since its passage, HB 1804 has become model legislation that has been or will be introduced in identical or similar form in more than a dozen states. Furthermore, I believe that more than two dozen other state legislatures may follow Oklahoma’s example and consider similar laws next year. That's what is ultimately at stake and why knocking HB 1804 has become such an obsession for a few.”